Cocktails & Conversation: Austin Sakong of FXCollaborative and Anna Kodé

Cocktails & Conversation is a series of dialogues about design that brings together an architect with a critic, journalist, curator, or architectural historian to discuss current design issues. For this program, Austin Sakong, AIA, of FXCollaborative will discuss how New York's buildings can be reinvented to meet current societal needs and the climate imperative while retaining the city's characteristic fabric in a program entitled "Historical Reinvention". He will be joined in conversation with Anna Kodé of The New York Times over a custom-crafted cocktail to be enjoyed by all attendees.

Speaker:
Austin Sakong, AIA, Design Director, FXCollaborative

Moderator:
Anna Kodé, Features Writer, The New York Times

About the Speakers:
Austin Sakong is the Design Director of FXCollaborative’s Cultural and Educational Studio, where he works with mission-driven institutions including educational, performing arts, and non-profit organizations. His practice is informed by his belief that architecture is a humanist pursuit, and that the quality of our built environment—like that of literature—hinges on its ability to articulate meaning, stories, and life. Austin received his Bachelor of Architecture from the Cooper Union, and his Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University. He teaches architecture and urban design at Columbia University and New York University; and is an active member in his community in Jersey City, where he serves as a Commissioner on the Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission.

Anna Kodé is a features writer for The New York Times, where she covers the intersection of culture and real estate. Her reporting has taken her from Mattel’s Barbie archives to Joan Didion’s estate sale. She recently wrote about the resurgence of interest in Brutalism and the deterioration of the Chrysler Building. Two years in a row, she’s won silver awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for best architecture story — for her reporting on the cultural significance of stainless steel fences and the rise of “anytown architecture.” She is also an adjunct professor at NYU's journalism institute and the author of the forthcoming book Unseen Places (Dutton Books).